International travel is sometimes complex. The following suggestions will help you as you travel from your country to Costa Rica. (We recommend that no one travel from the U S to Costa Rica by land due to the many border crossings (which can be difficult because of "red tape", and the potential danger traveling through some Central American countries.)

1. Your airline should be able to provide you with the latest information on the entrance requirements; however, you may wish to check with the nearest Costa Rican consulate. On the plane you will be given a declaration slip. Rather than listing all your possessions, write in "personal effects."

2. If you use a domestic flight to connect with your international flight, allow plenty of time for transfer of baggage between flights.

3. We strongly recommend that you BRING WITH YOU, AS EXCESS BAGGAGE, everything that you are bringing! It is usually cheaper and simpler to bring things this way than to send them air freight. Yes, you will feel conspicuous arriving at the airport with 10+ items of luggage, but it really is best.

4. As airline policies are subject to fluctuation, we strongly recommend double-checking with a travel agent and/or the airline(s) you intend to use concerning size and weight limitations, relative cost of excess baggage and air freight, etc. Some airlines, especially during holiday seasons, impose an embargo on excess baggage which forces you to send your excess baggage as air freight or come with much less. You should check with your airline before you buy your tickets to see if they have scheduled an embargo for the time of your flight.

5. IT IS BEST NOT TO PACK ANY ITEM IN ITS ORIGINAL CONTAINER, AND USE EACH ITEM AT LEAST ONCE. New items may attract attention from Customs officials. Also, make sure to check with Customs officials in your country before you leave so you don't run into problems when you try to return home with these items.

Again, we recommend (if at all possible) that you bring everything with you to avoid hassles!  If you MUST use air freight for excess baggage, remember the following points:

1. The time lapse between your arrival and the arrival of your air freight may be as much as two months.

2. The highest-taxed items are electrical appliances, cassette tapes, nice linens, high-quality cookware, and almost anything that is new. Therefore, bring as many of these things as possible in your luggage rather than shipping them air freight, and MAKE SURE TO USE EVERYTHING YOU INTEND TO BRING AT LEAST ONCE!!

Documents Needed:

For the Institute:  Please send us, or bring with you, a letter from your board or sending church or agency guaranteeing the payment of all Institute fees and living expenses while in Costa Rica.  If your sending agency cannot guarantee payment of fees and expenses, you will be asked to make a $100.00 telephone deposit when you register.

For Visas: You can enter Costa Rica as long as you have a passport valid for a period of at least six months, or for the period you plan on studying if longer than six months, and a ticket out of Costa Rica.  Some options are listed below. (Please check with your mission or travel agent to be sure what is best for you and that these policies have not been changed). 

After your arrival, the Language Institute will help you to obtain student visas. To obtain a student visa you will need the following items:

Passport Size Photographs.

Each adult and child (10 and older) needs 8 front view passport size photos (6 for visas, 1 for police records, and 1 for Language School records). Children nine and under need four each.  Photos can be purchased here for a very reasonable cost (around $3.00 for eight photos) and will be done during your orientation week.

Police Clearance (for all adults 18 and older)

A certificate of good conduct from your local police authorities which has been issued within 90 days of your arrival, and has been authenticated by your nearest Costa Rican Consulate.

Birth Certificate

An original copy of each person's (child or adult) birth certificate authenticated by your nearest Costa Rican Consulate.  Most consulates are now requiring an additional certification by the State Secretary.

Marriage Certificate

A certified copy of your marriage license authenticated by your nearest Costa Rican Consulate is required when only one of the spouses is studying.  If both are students no certificate is required.

(The fees for authentication will be assessed in Costa Rica after you arrive and not by your local Consulate.)

TIPS FOR FUTURE VISA APPLICATIONS

When applying for residence visas in your country of service many require the following documents:

1. A notarized statement from your mission or sending agency guaranteeing the payment of:  living expenses while in the country, all financial obligations while you are temporary residents of that country, and proof of passage out of the country.

2. A statement of good health from a physician. A simple note stating you are in good health and have no contagious diseases is sufficient! A complete physical exam is not necessary.

3. A laboratory report showing the blood type for each adult with the RH factor (positive or negative) shown.  (This is a good idea to have, but not a requirement.)

4. A police certificate of good conduct from your local police authorities which has been issued within 90 days of your arrival in your destination country. (You may want to wait until 90 days prior to applying for the visa to request this document.)

5. A certified and authenticated copy of your marriage license.

Rules and regulations:

Tourists must have a ticket out of Costa Rica when they enter. It must be for future travel to another country. Since you will be arriving as a tourist, you must have a ticket for a flight out of Costa Rica when you enter Costa Rica! Here are some ways of meeting this requirement.

1. Book flights all the way to your final destination with an extended stop in Costa Rica. After arrival the departure date can be pushed back for as much as a year, depending on the carrier.

2. Purchase round-trip tickets or a second ticket to Panama or Nicaragua, whichever is cheaper. You may later cancel the tickets and receive a full or partial refund.

3. Buy a 30 day round-trip ticket from your point of origin, throw away the return part of the ticket, and purchase another ticket in Costa Rica when you are ready to leave. 

(Please check with your travel agent or sending agency for the best choice for your situation.)

If you will be studying in Costa Rica for three months or less, you do not need a student visa. The entrance stamp on your passport allows you to stay in Costa Rica for 90 days; this can be extended for 30 days by request. If you plan to be here longer than one trimester (four months) you must either leave the country for 72 hours and re-enter as a tourist, or get a student visa.  Costs to process your student visa for one year's stay in Costa Rica are as follows:

(The immigration laws change frequently, and the Institute will provide you with updated information during the orientation.) The Institute is only able to help full-time students through the process of applying for their student visas who are staying for two or three trimesters.  Visas can be obtained for the entire family, even if only one of the parents studying.

Before leaving for Costa Rica you may want to put together an information sheet about yourself (and your wife and children) and give a copy to your family, church, legal council, or mission agency. The sheet could include your name, address, phone #, next of kin, person to contact in case of emergency, location of will and possessions, insurance information, and identification numbers (such as Social Security #'s or equivalent, depending on which country you are from, passport #'s, credit card #'s, birth dates, etc.)